Peco asks CA to stop implementation of Iloilo court order on More Power ‘takeover’

MANILA, Philippines — The Panay Electric Co. (Peco) has asked the Court of Appeals to stop the implementation of an Iloilo trial court order directing the turn over of its distribution assets to rival firm More Electric Power Corp. (More Power).

In a statement on behalf of Peco, law firm Divina Law said the power firm has applied for Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and/or a Writ of Preliminary Injunction “to restrain the implementation of the Order and/or any writ that may be issued by the RTC.”

The Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 23 recently issued a 14-page order that reiterated the grant of a writ of possession to More Power.

“The primary goal of the court is a smooth and peaceful transition of operation, to protect the public interest of the people of Iloilo City and its businesses, and to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity,” the court order read.

Divina Law said Peco also filed with the Court of Appeals a Petition for Certiorari asking it to review the said order.

“Contrary to what’s being circulated via publicity by MORE, it will be highly irregular at this point to insist on the takeover pending resolution of the motion for clarification that PECO has filed with the RTC of Iloilo to define the parameters of the implementation and, more importantly, in view of the Petition for Certiorari with prayer for TRO that has been filed with the Court of Appeals,” the law firm said.

“MORE cannot jump the gun and pre-empt the ruling on our application for TRO,” it added.

Divina Law said Peco will “responsibly continue to provide service to the city” while “this legal issue is being resolved.”

“Additionally, PECO will vigorously pursue all legal remedies to set aside the order,” it added.